While fruit growing in Minnesota is not so extensively engaged in as in some reputed fruit growers’ paradises we read about, I wish to state that the South and East (to speak in the vernacular) “has nothing on us.”  I have reliable information that the same freeze that cleaned us out up here in the North did the same trick for growers at Mobile, Alabama.  Therefore, I advise members not to yield to discouragement.  Plant and care for varieties recommended in the society planting list and emulate the society motto, “Perseverantia Vincimus.”

From replies to letters sent out the following list of varieties appears to be in favor as the most desirable to plant in this district: 

     Apples:  Wealthy, Okabena, Duchess, Patten’s Greening.

     Crabs:  Florence, Whitney, Lyman’s Prolific.

     Plums:  DeSoto, Hawkeye, Wyant, Wolf.

     Raspberries:  King, Sunbeam, Minnetonka Ironclad.

     Currants:  Perfection, Prince Albert, Long Bunch Holland,
     Wilder.

     Gooseberries:  Carrie, Houghton, Downing.

     Grapes:  Beta, Concord, Delaware.

Hardy Shrubs:  Spirea Van Houtii, Hydrangea P.G., Snowball, Syringa, Tartarian Honeysuckle, Lilac, High-bush Cranberry, Barberry, Sumac, Elderberry, Golden Leaf Elder, Buckthorn for hedges.

     Hardy Perennials—­Flowers:  Delphinium, Campanula, Phlox,
     Paeonies, Iris, Hermerocallis, Tiger Lilies.

     Tender Plants:  Dahlias, Gladiolus.

Annual Report, 1915, Mandan, N.D., Trial Station.

W. A. PETERSON, SUPT., MANDAN, N.D.

In the spring of 1914 a number of plums, grapes and raspberries were received from the Minnesota Fruit-Breeding Farm.  The larger part of the plums were winter killed in 1914-15.  Those that survive after a few more winters may be considered as practically hardy.  Those remaining made a good growth in 1915, but did not bear.

The grapes lived through the winter in good shape, although they had been covered.  These are all Beta seedlings.

The raspberries Nos. 3, 7, and 8, were partly covered and partly left exposed—­all three numbers died to the ground when not protected.  No. 4 was received in the spring of 1915 and made a good growth.

Strawberry No. 1017 was received in spring 1915 and bore heavily this fall but made only a very few runners.

Extensive experiments are being carried on in plant-breeding, pomology, vegetable gardening, arboriculture and ornamental horticulture, and in the course of time a lot of valuable information will be gathered.

On the whole the season was backward in spring and the summer was abnormally cool.  There was sufficient rainfall for all crops.

Fruit Growing a Successful Industry in Minnesota.

A. W. RICHARDSON, FRUIT GROWER, HOWARD LAKE, MINN.